Bitget Adds Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to Prohibited Jurisdictions List Under New Terms of Use
Key Takeaways
- •Bitget's updated English Terms of Use, dated October 16, 2026, designate Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan as prohibited jurisdictions whose residents may not open accounts on the exchange.
- •Bitget has not disclosed the number of affected accounts or set a common deadline, and each impacted customer will receive individual notifications defining their own withdrawal timeline.
- •At least one affected user reported receiving an October 21 withdrawal deadline, but Bitget has not confirmed whether that date applies to all customers in the three countries.
- •The exchange stated that the restriction is a one-off measure, that customer funds remain safe, and that users who receive no notifications may continue operating under the previous terms.
- •The restrictions emerged as Bitget expands its regulatory footprint, including May 2026 registrations with Mexico's Tax Administration Service and Financial Intelligence Unit, though the company has not linked the two developments.
Bitget has added Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan to the list of countries whose residents are prohibited from opening accounts on the exchange, according to the platform's new English Terms of Use dated October 16, 2026. The three countries now form part of the prohibited jurisdictions list set out in the legal terms governing access to the platform.
The update has drawn close attention in recent days, yet the company has not disclosed how many existing accounts will be affected, nor has it announced a single deadline that applies to all customers in the three countries. Under the new terms, Bitget will communicate directly with affected individuals about their respective deadlines for withdrawing funds, which means each customer may receive a different timeline depending on their account.
What the Restrictions Mean for Users
Bitget characterized the measures as a one-off activity and reassured customers that their funds are completely safe. The exchange also noted that users who do not receive any notifications can continue their activities on the platform under the previous terms and conditions.
The exchange's support team addressed the subject through its official support account, citing the prohibited jurisdictions list while responding to questions about the restrictions affecting Russian users.
At least one impacted user said in a post on X that they had received a withdrawal deadline of October 21. Bitget has not clarified whether that date applies to all customers in the affected countries, and users should rely on their own notifications rather than assume the deadline is uniform. In practice, that means two customers in the same country could face different timelines for withdrawing their assets.
Certain aspects of the restrictions also remain unclear. No information has been made available on the number of affected users, nor on the regulatory mandate, if any, that prompted the exchange to take this step.
Restrictions Arrive Amid Broader Regulatory Efforts
The account restrictions come as Bitget works toward regulatory registrations in more markets. In May 2026, the exchange announced that it had completed registrations with the Tax Administration Service of Mexico (SAT) and the Financial Intelligence Unit of Mexico (UIF). The company presented these registrations as part of efforts to expand into Latin America.
Bitget has not, however, drawn any specific connection between the registrations in Mexico and the restrictions imposed on Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. Unless the company explains otherwise, the two developments should be considered separately.
The situation also highlights how access rules for cryptocurrency exchanges can differ from one jurisdiction to another. While regulatory registrations may enable an exchange to operate in certain markets, restrictions can apply in others.
What Affected Users Should Know
Users in Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan should monitor their email and the notifications within their Bitget accounts for any changes to their access. Those who receive restriction messages should study them carefully to understand what steps to take next.
Users who do not receive a notification should review the terms of use and contact Bitget support services with any questions. Bitget has officially announced that customers who receive no notifications can continue using their accounts according to the exchange's terms. Customers are advised to base their actions on official communications from the exchange rather than on assumptions drawn from other users' experiences.
Affected customers should also distinguish between the general list of prohibited jurisdictions and the messages sent to their individual accounts. The new rules refer to the listed jurisdictions, while personal account-related notifications contain additional, account-specific information. Bitget's guidance indicates that individual notifications, rather than the public terms alone, will determine each customer's withdrawal timeline.
As of now, Bitget has not revealed when there will be a common deadline for all clients, how many customers will be impacted, or the precise regulatory reason behind the restriction.
